The One In CA '07 (part one)...

It's that time of year again. I get to escape the oppressive humid heat of Florida for the hot but dryer temps of California. The cooler evenings on the west coast will bring some much needed reprieve.

My trip out here went pretty smoothly - aside from the very immature family who thought playing the trivia game on the flight from Atlanta to Anaheim was the best thing ever. Delta has equipped some of its planes these days with personal TV monitors; and on those TVs, you can watch regular cable channels (HBO, TLC, ESPN, etc.) pick movies to watch, play video games, watch the progress of your flight, and play a trivia game with other members on the plane. There was this mom and dad and their son (who was at least in his early to mid-30s) who were getting so ridiculously loud every time they got an answer right they would all but scream their joyous cries. It got out of hand, but I was too tired to pay any more attention to them.

Upon arrival at Peing's (my aunt - younger sister of my dad) house, I proceeded to eat my first meal - a warm-up if you will for a series of other delectable feasts that would eventually follow. I have tried hard to resist the glutton beast within me, however, my will to allow such disdain has not fared all too well. I've had my share of Slurpees (only two) and just one order of the yumminess that is nachos. This along with the other Chinese treats will be the bane of all my bicycle riding and racquetball.

The conference that I came out for went well, although long and seemingly tiresome, and proved to be educational and good advertisement for my employer (National Youth Gang Center). The rest of the gang (Howard, Amanda, Tony and Julie) came out yesterday and picked me up at my hotel. We went to see my Uncle Kenny, who's health is very unstable and deteriorating (more on that later, and then we were reunited with my extended family. Amanda has done so well with meeting everyone and had her first big traditional Chinese banquet. Prior to that, we all hit the local In-and-Out burger joint to which we were all very impressed with once again. We are about to depart for our trip up to Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Forest and Hearst Castle. It'll be the Florida crew along with my dad that will be going. I'll upload pictures and give some more updates on our trip this weekend when we get back. Sorry for the delay, folks. Wireless connectivity was a bit sparse throughout the week at the conference hotel. Hank out...

~KH